Rob Smedley will leave Williams and Formula 1 at the end of the season
Rob Smedley will not renew his contract with Williams as Head of Vehicle Performance. He will also leave the world of Formula 1 at the end of the season.
The English engineer from the Williams team, Rob Smedley, has decided that this season in Formula 1 will be his last. This decision is motivated by the desire to spend more time with his family.
Let’s remember that the 44-year-old engineer had a significant impact on Williams during the transition to the hybrid era. When he signed with the British team, they were coming off a very challenging 2013 season. Thanks to his great expertise and an excellent Mercedes engine, Williams managed an enormous leap forward, finishing the 2014 year in a strong 3rd place. The 9-time world champion team replicated the feat in 2015 and then concluded the 2016 and 2017 seasons in 5th place, before unfortunately becoming the last in the championship in 2018 with two races remaining.
Rob Smedley now looks back on his career with a lot of joy: « The team will always be close to my heart. However, after 20 years in Formula 1, I feel the time is right to reflect on the situation and assess the next step. I am really looking forward to spending more time with my family before deciding on future opportunities.»
The Briton is also known for his radio transmissions, often hilarious, with Felipe Massa at Ferrari from 2006 to 2013, a driver with whom he was very close during his years with the Scuderia.
